The article from the Seoul Economy discusses a recorded phone call that suggests a conversation took place involving Kim Keon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, and political broker Myung Tae-kyun regarding the candidacy of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun ahead of the June 2022 by-elections. Released by the weekly magazine SisaIN, the call reportedly happened on May 9, 2022, the day before President Yoon’s inauguration. During the call, Kim Keon-hee allegedly mentioned that President Yoon advised against using his name for influence and to support Kim Young-sun instead.
The call also referred to opposition from Kwon Seong-dong and Yoon Han-hong, with discussions about pressuring Yoon Sang-hyun, a key figure in the nomination process. Kim reassured Myung that the nomination issue would be resolved positively.
Additionally, it is stated that on May 9, Myung had separate brief conversations with both President Yoon and Kim Keon-hee, in which Kim Young-sun’s candidacy was discussed. Consequently, Kim Young-sun was nominated by the People Power Party and won the by-election in Changwon, South Gyeongsang.
The article also covers the recent development where the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed a special prosecutor bill related to Myung Tae-kyun. The bill aims to investigate allegations of illegal election interference and manipulation during the 20th presidential election, involving Myung, President Yoon, and Kim Keon-hee. The opposition plans to push the bill through further legislative stages swiftly.